-
HDD's 2012 Oscars Live-Blog Is This Sunday![teaser]Yes, we’re doing it again. Join us this Sunday, February 26th for The Bonus View's second annual Oscars Live-Blog! You supply the refreshments, we'll deliver the prizes![/teaser] There are many reasons to join us. Wit, prizes, world weary wisdom, prizes, film trivia, prizes, priceless snark, and did we mention prizes? With last-minute replacement Billy Crystal hosting for the 74th time, not to mention a huge assortment of behind-the-scenes fiascoes with the production, the ceremony itself promises to be yet another overlong, self-important, and generally boring slog, if not an outright clusterfrack. We'd settle for nothing less! We will do our best here to liven up the proceedings by making fun of them and giving away lots of free Blu-ray goodies! Don’t miss out!Posted Thu Feb 23, 2012 at 12:20 PM PST by: -
'Albert Nobbs' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]Rodrigo Martinez' acclaimed drama is bound for Blu-ray in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate says 'Albert Nobbs' will have a Blu-ray release on May 15th. The film based on a short story by George Moore stars Glenn Close in an Academy Award nominated performance as a 19th century female butler passing as a man for her entire life. The movie was also nominated for Best Makeup and Best Supporting Actress (Janet McTeer). The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include deleted scenes and a theatrical trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Albert Nobbs' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 15th.Posted Thu Feb 23, 2012 at 12:10 PM PST by: -
'We Need to Talk About Kevin' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Lynne Ramsay's acclaimed psychological thriller will be talking about Blu-ray in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Oscilloscope Laboratories has revealed 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' starring John C. Reilly, Tilda Swinton, and Ezra Miller will be available on Blu-ray on May 29. A suspenseful and gripping psychological thriller, Lynne Ramsay's 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' explores the fractious relationship between a mother and her evil son. Tilda Swinton, in a bracing, tour-de-force performance, plays the mother, Eva, as she contends for 15 years with the increasing malevolence of her first-born child, Kevin (Ezra Miller). Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, and suggested list price for the Blu-ray is still to be determined. You can find the latest specs for 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 29.Posted Thu Feb 23, 2012 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
Comcast Will Launch Xfinity Streampix to Compete with Other Streaming Services[teaser]It's a $4.99 monthly charge, but it's only for Comcast customers, so add that on top of your current monthly charges. [/teaser] Comcast has announced they'll be launching a streaming service known as Xfinity Streampix this week. It's going to include the kinds of shows and movies you've come to expect from streaming services, but details on just what's going to be available aren't available yet. The catch with this $4.99/mo service is that only Comcast customers will be able to access it, which makes the inexpensive pricing seem much less like a deal. Some Comcast packages will include the service for free - the higher end stuff of course - which should make a lot of customers sort of happy. Depending on the selection and quality of the streams, this may convince Comcast customers to drop Netflix or Hulu in favor of the new service. These company specific services don't seem like the kind of thing that could bring the giants down, but they just might make a visible dent. Source: EngadgetPosted Thu Feb 23, 2012 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
'Summer Interlude' and 'Summer with Monika' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Ingmar Bergman has the cure for the summertime Blus this May! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Criterion is preparing 'Summer Interlude' for Blu-ray on May 29. Touching on many of the themes that would define the rest of his legendary career—isolation, performance, the inescapability of the past—the tenth film by Ingmar Bergman was a gentle sway toward true mastery. The Blu-ray will feature a 1080p transfer, uncompressed monaural soundtrack, and supplements will include a booklet featuring an essay by film scholar Peter Cowie. The director's 'Summer with Monika' will also be available on Blu-ray on the same date. Inspired by the earthy eroticism of his muse Harriet Andersson, in the first of her many roles for him, Ingmar Bergman had a major international breakthrough with this ravaging, sensual tale of young love. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an uncompressed monaural soundtrack, and supplements will include: Introduction by director Ingmar Bergman; New interview with actress Harriet Andersson, conducted by film critic Peter Cowie; New interview with film scholar Eric Schaefer about Kroger Babb and Babb's distribution of Monika: Story of a Bad Girl as an exploitation film; Images from the Playground, a half-hour documentary by Stig Björkman with behind-the-scenes footage shot by Bergman, archival audio interviews with Bergman, and new interviews with actresses Bibi Andersson and Harriet Andersson; Trailer; and a booklet featuring an essay by film scholar Laura Hubner, a 1958 review by filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard, and a publicity piece from 1953 in which Bergman interviews himself. Suggested list price for 'Summer Interlude' is $29.95 and 'Summer with Monika' is $39.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Summer Interlude' and 'Summer with Monika' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under May 29.Posted Thu Feb 23, 2012 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Google TV Patent Shows Voice Control is on the Way[teaser]You can also control your set when you're away from home, getting the TV ready for you when you walk in the door. [/teaser] The Google TV platform is constantly improving thanks to both Google and 3rd party developers. The latest innovation comes directly from Google and will prove to be really interesting if it works out. According to a patent filed with the Patent and Trademark Office, Google will be working on voice control for Google TV devices. You won't need a new TV or a webcam to make it happen - voice control will happen through your Android phone. No word yet on whether other devices will work or not. The app will use your GPS data, time and date to get you the most accurate information and predict what you're looking for. If you ask what time football starts, your device will show you results for your local team. Finally, the app will allow you to control your Google TV from up to a quarter of a mile away. This allows you to get your favorite show ready to go before you get home, or as PC World's John P. Mello Jr. puts it, "for setting a romantic mood when you arrive home with a special friend" (or a special sandwich). Source: PC WorldPosted Thu Feb 23, 2012 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
'NFL Super Bowl XLVI Champions: New York Giants' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]New York Giants fans, you can relive the glory in just a few short weeks! Simply fall on your butts and score yourselves a touchdown on Blu-ray![/teaser] In an announcement to retailers, Vivendi is about to release 'NFL Super Bowl XLVI Champions: New York Giants' on Blu-ray on March 6. In early December 2011, the New York Giants were in deep trouble, staggered by a four-game losing streak that wiped out a 6-2 start and threatened to keep them out of postseason play. But a decisive win over the Cowboys earned the Giants a division crown on the final day of the season. Once in the playoffs, Big Blue took down the Falcons, Packers and 49ers to reach the Super Bowl for the second time under head coach Tom Coughlin. And in that rematch of Super Bowl XLII, the results were the same: Another Giant upset over the favored New England Patriots. NFL Films takes you down the sidelines, on the field and into the locker room with exclusive access to all the vivid sounds and images of every game in this memorable season – coupled with exciting extra content detailing stores from the year, media day at Super Bowl XLVI, and the thrilling Lombardi Trophy Presentation. It’s all here, every thrilling moment that enabled the 2011 Giants to bring the Lombardi Trophy back to the Big Apple. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements include Super Bowl Media Day, Super Bowl Post-Game Ceremonies, Super Bowl XLII Recap, The Eli Manning Conversation, Back To The Future, The Receiving Giants, Catching Up With David Tyree, and Blu-ray exclusives include 2011 NFL Shots of the Year, 2011 NFL Players Wired For Sound, and 2011 NFL Coaches Wires For Sound. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.93. You can find the latest specs for 'NFL Super Bowl XLVI Champions: New York Giants' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 6.Posted Thu Feb 23, 2012 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
Over-the-Air TV is Gaining in Popularity[teaser]"Every time that Hulu and Netflix enhance their services, our phones light up," says Antenna Direct president Richard Schneider. [/teaser] Cord cutting is becoming increasingly popular - not just because of the cost of cable service, but because consumers are becoming more familiar with the alternatives. Netflix and Hulu are household names, but the unexpected effect of streaming content popularity is the resurfacing of antennas. Richard Shneider of Antenna Direct says that sales are increasing greatly. He sold 400,000 antennas in 2010, 600,000 last year and expects to double that in 2012. Adding to his already impressive sales will be a recent agreement that puts Antenna Direct products in Walmart stores. The more aware people are that the old-school seeming antenna is a valid option for getting HD content, the more they seem to sell. "Many consumers don't realize they can get these channels over the air in HD for free," says Boxee's Avner Ronen. Source: Wall Street JournalPosted Thu Feb 23, 2012 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
'Demetrius and the Gladiators' Dated and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]Delmar Daves' 1954 epic heads to Blu-ray's arena in March. [/teaser] In their latest press release, Twilight Time has revealed 'Demetrius and the Gladiators' is coming to Blu-ray on March 13. The thrilling sequel to 'The Robe' (1953), 'Demetrius and the Gladiators' (1954) follows the further adventures of the Christian slave Demetrius (Victor Mature), sentenced to servitude as a gladiator in the Roman arena. There, his faith is tested in to-the-death combat and by the wiles of the seductive Messalina (Susan Hayward)—all under the obsessive eye of the mad Emperor Caligula (Jay Robinson). Director Delmer Daves brings epic sweep to the tale, supported by the bravura score of Franz Waxman (available here as an isolated track). The Blu-ray will be limited to 3000 copies and will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 4.0 soundtrack, and supplements include an isolated score track and liner notes by Julie Kirgo. 'Demetrius and the Gladiators' is available here from Screen Archives Entertainment for $29.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Demetrius and the Gladiators' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 13.Posted Thu Feb 23, 2012 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
Take a Peek at Some 'Tower Heist' Blu-ray Clips[teaser]With 'Tower Heist' now available on Blu-ray, Universal has just released a collection of clips from the film, some previews of the Blu-ray's special features, and interviews with the cast and filmmakers.[/teaser] This comedic ensemble heist movie tells the story of a group of defrauded working class folks plotting to break into the penthouse apartment of the Ponzi scheme's mastermind in order to retrieve some of the money that they've invested. With Eddie Murphy making a triumphant return to comedy, he brings the best out of his co-star Ben Stiller, Casey Affleck, Matthew Broderick, Michael Peña, and Téa Leoni. Be sure you check out our review 'here.' Check out the following clips to see some of the Blu-ray's extensive special features. New Clips from the Special Features In the meaty "Plotting 'Tower Heist'" feature, director Brett Ratner and Brian Grazer explain the 25-year friendship that ultimately lead to them collaborating for 'Tower Heist.' For the film's wild car sequences, they didn't want fiddle with an expensive classic Ferrari, so designers converted a Volvo P1800 into Steve McQueen's iconic cherry red Ferrari 250 GT Lusso. Eddie Murphy discusses his triumphant and hilarious return to comedy. Peña talks about his not-too-bright character. The origins of the script. Ratner's enthusiasm is explained and exemplified via on-set clips. Broderick explains his character and how he really has no reason to participate in the heist. A breakdown of Affleck's sarcastic character. Ratner praises Gabourey Sibide for her comedic timing. Clips from the Film Murphy requires the inexperienced robbers to steal $50 worth of merchandise in a mall. The crew gets a surprise. 'Tower Heist' Blu-ray Commercial Spot As currently seen on television.Posted Wed Feb 22, 2012 at 02:00 PM PST by:
